You Don't Have to See the Whole Staircase

Published On: March 1, 2014By John Leh

Getting started - Independent learning tech analyst John Leh explains why he is starting the Talented Learning blog

When I told my wife my first Talented Learning blog post would be something involving the old quote “Journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” she immediately quipped “That’s original.”

Lack of creativity on my first post is an ominous sign. Starting a blog is no easy matter – I’ve been thinking about it for a decade. Primarily, there is the fear standing in the way. The fear that you don’t have anything original to say, the bigger fear that nobody will read it and the biggest fear that they might. Then you get to thinking about the work that is going to be involved as you write your first post and it takes all day long. During the stalling process, you find time to read all of Hemmingway’s short stories and byline articles for inspiration and you realize that you’re no Hemmingway. Yep, the fear, the work and the fear sure get in the way.

I have no choice now though. I’m a sucker for injustice. The topic and field of study I love is being ignored, shunned and trivialized. Millions of global extended enterprise learning and business professionals are starving for information, research, news, advice, best practices and have nowhere to go, nothing to advance, nada to show off, and no one to meet. We’re going to carry the torch and be that place to go.

Anyway, in tribute to Lao Tzu, here are my favorite quotes for taking the first step, beginning a long journey and starting a blog.

#5: “A journey is like a marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you can control it” John Steinbeck.

#4: “Everything is easy once you know how.” Pop, Grandpop, Great Grandpop, Great, Great Grandpop Leh, etc.

#3: “I think it’s my adventure, my trip, my journey, and I guess my attitude is, let the chips fall where they may.” Leonard Nimoy

#2: “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Dr. Martin Luther King

#1: “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.” Mark Twain

Sorry Mark, I hear you, but here goes anyway. I hope the second step is easier. Welcome to Talented Learning. See you tomorrow.

About the Author: John Leh

John Leh is Founder, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning. He is a fiercely independent consultant, blogger, podcaster, speaker and educator who helps organizations select and implement learning technology strategies, primarily for extended enterprise applications. His advice is based upon 25+ years of learning industry experience, serving as a trusted LMS selection and sales adviser to hundreds of organizations with a total technology spend of $100+ million and growing. John is active on social media and is happy to connect with you on X/Twitter or on LinkedIn.